Apparatus for packaging of powder in small quantities



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May 22, 1956 P. E. FISCHER 2,746,223 V APPARATUS FORA PACKAGING OF POWDER IN SMALL QUANTITIES Filed May 9, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

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May 22, 1956 P. E. FISCHER 2,746,223

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING oF- POWDER .1N SMALL QUANTITIES Filed May 9, 1952 12 sheets-sneer. e

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APPARATUS PoR PACKAGING OP POWDER 1N SMALL QUANTITIES INVENToR. PAUL E /C/SCHE/C? A 7' TOR/v5 Ys May 22, 1956 P. E. FISCHER 2,746,223

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING OF POWDER IN SMALL QUANTITIES Filed May s, 1952 12 sheets-sheet a HG. I3

INVENToR. PA UL E HSC/#ER BMW@ ATTORNEYS May 22, 1956 P. E. FISCHER 2,746,223

APPARATUS RoR PACKAGING oF POWDER IN SMALL QUANTITIES Filed may 9, 1952 12 sheets-sheet 9 Y R A 1N VEN TOR. Q4 UL E F/'SCHEQ BY A -r- ToR/v: Ys

May 22, 1956 P. E. FISCHER 2,746,223

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING OF POWDER IN SMALL QUANTITIES 12 Sheets-Sheet l0 Filed May 9, 1952 VACUUM VALVE CLOSED ATMOS. VALVE OPEN VACUUM VALVE OPEN ATMOS. VALVE CLOSED INVENTOR. DAL/ E HSC/#E9 adn-MAQ# ATTO/:ways

May 22, 1956 P. E. FISCHER 2,746,223

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING OF POWDER IN SMALL QUANTITIES Filed May 9, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 VACUUM VALVE OPEN ATMOS. VALVE CLOSED /69 MATERIAL RECEIVER OPENS TO MATERIAL HOLDER VACUUM VALVE OPEN ATMOS.VALVE CLOSED MATERIAL RECEIVER NS TO MATERIAL HOLD BOTH VALVES CLOSED INVENTOR. DAU/ E. F/'scf-/E/Q A T TORNE Ys May 22, 1956 Filed May 9, 1952 RIGHT PACKAGER LEFT PACKAGER P. E. FISCHER 2,746,223

APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING OF' POWDER IN SMALL QUANTITIES 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 n IN VEN TOR.

DA UL. E. ESCP/ER United States atent APPARATUS FR PACKGHNG F PWDER 1N SMALL QUTl'IE-S Paul E. Fischer, Minneapolis, Minn., assi or, by mcsne assignments, to E. G. Stande li/anufacti. Company, Inc., Concord, N. H., a corporation of New Hampshire Application lviay 9, 1952, Serial No. 287,669

le Claims. (Cl. 53-180) easy usage advantageously packaged in measured quantities suitable for the preparation of a prescribed amount of liquid solution. Thus, powdered coffee, which is a concentrated deliquescent crystalline solid, is most useful when it is packaged so that one small encapsulation or package can be broken open and the entire contents thereof used for the preparation of a single cup or a prescribed qu "ty of liquid coffee. Similarly, packaged milk solids are frequently desirably put up in small quantities such that by the opening of one package and dissolving the same in a prescribed quantity of water, a given amount, for example one glass or one cup, of fluid milk can be made.

ln the cosmetic and medicinal lines the preparation of relatively small quantities of liquids are likewse very frequent. Thus, in the preparation of liquids for antiseptic or medical purposes, it is frequently desirable to prepare a prescribed quantity from a measured quantity of powder. Thus, a medicant or antiseptic powder packged as an accurately measured amount may be opened .n the whole package used for the preparation of, for example, one quart of antiseptic or medicinal fluid.

The accomplishments of these ends is not without difficulty due to the fact that the powders must be handled in relatively small amounts and with great accuracy, not only that the user may be assured of constancy of results, which is one of the objects of having the powder packaged in a prescribed amount useful in a prescribed amount of water, but also because if more than lthe amount of powder is introduced into the package, the merchant or manufacturer just loses that much money since additional weight over a prescribed amount does not sell for any more.

Another difhculty with the handling and packaging of small quantities of powder is due to the fact that many of these powders are exceedingly hygroscopic or even deliquescent and accordingly the entire packaging operation must be accomplished in such a way that the powder is protected from the moisture available in the air during the time of its containment in the package until the package is torn open and used.

Heretofore, the successful packaging of powders has not been capable of accomplishment and for such uses the powders have been pressed into tablets and the tablets themselves put into a container or into individual packages, as for example individual tablets of penicillin in sealed foil packages.

lt is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the accurate measurement and packaging of relatively small amounts of granular or powdery material, and to provide apparatus whereby such packages may be completely sealed against the admission of moisture into the contained material.

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It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus wherein the powder is substantially degassed during the time that it is being packaged.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus wherein the powder to be packaged is introduced into a carrying chamber and then pressed out onto the packaging foil in which it is then contained, `the powder however being pressed only sufficiently to maintain shape during the packaging operations.

lt is a further object of the invention to provide improvements in apparatus for packaging of powdered material and to provide an apparatus which may be operated for the packaging of small quantities of powdery material at high speeds and at low cost, capable of being operated by relatively unskilled labor and capable of providing uniform accurately filled small packages.

lt is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus whereby food powders, medicinal powders, pharmaceutical powders, antiseptics and the like may be accurately measured and packaged in small amounts capable of full use of the package for the preparation of a measured quantity of aqueous liquid in which such powder is dissolved.

lt is a further object of the invention Ato provide a simplied apparatus capable of producing packages of powdered material at extremely high speed.

Other and further objects of the invention are those inherent in lthe apparatus herein illustrated, described and claimed.

The invention is illustrated with reference to the drawings in which corresponding numerals refer to the same parts and in which Figure l is a side elevation of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation taken from the right end as shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a plan View of the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a side elevational View in section taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan View taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 5-5' of Figure 4, showing one of the packaging tapes as the powdered material is laid thereon and the manner in which another packaging tape is applied thereto vand sealed so as to produce separate sealed packages of the powdered material;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View somewhat enlarged taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 7 7 of Figure 3;

Figure 7A is an enlarged diagrammatic fragmentary sectional view showing the offset relation of pins and screws for transmitting rotary motion to the upper and lower seal rings of the material holder of the apparatus of this invention;

Figure 8 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 3-8 of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional View taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 9 9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a corresponding fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of arrows lil-1t) of Figure 8;

Figure 1l is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of arrows llll1 of Figure 4;

Figure l2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken along the line and in the direction of arrows EZlZ of Figure 4;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of arrows l 13-13 of Figure 4;

Figure 14 is a transverse sectional view also through the cutting rolls and taken through cutting knife roll and corresponding stationary knife and taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 214--14 of Figure l5;

Figure l is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the cut-olf rolls; v

Figure 16 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional View of the transmission housing taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 16--16 of Figure 7;

Figure 17 is an enlarged side elevational view partly broken away and partly schematic showing the operation of the camming device by means of which the powder is pressed out in a loose and yet stabilized form upon one of the packaging foils;

.sequence the steps in the operation of the packaging device for taking in measured quantities of the powdered material being packaged;

Figure 24 is a wiring diagram of the motor and heating elements etc. of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus of the invention is illustrated in its entirety in Figures l, 2 and 3. In general, there is provided a base generally designated 20 having four legs 21-21 and a top 22. The table is shown below the line 2-2 of Figures 1 and 2. The table has a lower platform 23 and is provided with closure panels 24-24 so as to provide within the base a neat compartment 25 in which there are housed the'auxliaries for the apparatus. A transverse frame 26 within this compartmentrserves as a mounting for certain of the auxiliaries, the nature of which will be described in greater detail after the description of the apparatus itself has been made.

Above the line 2-2, which is at the top of the table; there is mounted the machine proper generally designated 30. Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the delivery end of the machine is at the right, as indicated by the legend D. In general, it may be stated that the machine includes two completely separate packaging lines driven from a common transmission and auxiliaries. Thus, there is shown the right-hand Packager shown opposite the bracket R and the left-hand packager shown opposite the bracket L in Figures 2 and 3. The common drive and transmission 32 are preferably constructed so as to minimize the transmission of noise from the machine to the stand and vice versa. Referring to Figure 16 the transmission housing 31 is provided with a drive shaft 34 mounted in precision ball bearingsSS. The shaft 34 has a drive end 36 provided with a key at 37 to which a suitable pulley 33 is attached,'over which a belt 38 runs. The belt also runs over the drive pulley 39 of motor 40 carried by a mounting 41. The motor mounting is preferably of the variety such that it will maintain the belt 38 in proper tension. If desired, the pulley 39 may be of the variable pitch type and in that case the motor mounting 4l is so constructed so as to permit the raising and lowering of the motor 4i) to allow variation in diameter of pulley 39V and hence variation in speed of operation of the machine.

Referring again to Figure 16, the transmission housing is provided with three Worm screws 42, 43 and 44 on the shaft 34 that are pinned to the shaft. The worm screw 42 mates with the worm wheel 46 mounted upon the shaft V47. The worm screw 43 mates with the worm wheel 49 mounted upon the shaft 50. The Worm wheel i4 mates with tne worm wheel 53 mounted upon the shaft 54. Accordingly, as the shaft 34 is turned the power is transmitted and the shafts, 47 50 and 54 are all rotated at a much reduced speed. The gear reduction between the speed of shaft 34 and the shafts 47, Sti and 54 is identical in each case so that the shafts 47, 59 and 54 likewise run at the same speed.

Upon the shaft 50 there is provided a spur gear 51 mating with the pinion 52 mounted on the shaft 55 and accordingly as the shaft 50 is turned the shaft 55 is likewise turned at a higher speed. Similarly, upon the shaft 54 there is provided a spur gear 56 mating with the pinion 57 upon the shaft 53. Also on shaft 5S is another pinion 48 which in turn mates with the pinion 59, which is of the same siZeV as pinion 4S, the latter pinion 59 being mounted upon the shaft 6G. Accordingly, as thc shaft 54 is turned, the shafts 53 and 6i) are run in unison at identical higher speed than the shaft 54. The gear housing has a lill plug 61 and a drain plug 62.

It will be understood that all of the shafts 47, 5t), 54, 55, 5S and 60 are mounted on suitable journals in the side walls of the gear housing, each of the shafts extending through the journals in said side walls and outside of the housing on either end. These shafts serve as mountings for the various rotative parts of the right packager R and left packager L.

Referring to Figures 1 and 4, in general, the apparatus includes a plurality of stations as follows: Between lines 63 and 64 there is provided a iilling station. Between lines 64 and 65 there is provided a sealing station for the package, between lines 65 and 66there is provided a drive station by which the Aweb of packages is pulled through, and between lines 66 and 67 there is provided a cut-off station where the packages are severed from a continuous web and delivered at chute 63. The plan of operation involves the feeding of a lower web of scalable material in tape form from the supply roll 69 through the filling station 63-64 and in this station neat tiles of measured quantities of bulk solid powder are placed on the lower web which then travels from lines 64 to 65, during which an upper web or tape of scalable material from the supply roll 70 is fed down and the two tapes sealed together with the piles of powder therebetween. The entire tape is pulled along by the pulling rolls be tween stations 65 and 66 and is then severed between the piles of sealed-in material in the cut-off station 66--67 The thus severed packages then slide down the chute 63.

Referring to the filling station between lines 63 and 64 this station generally comprises a hopper 71 having a downwardly converging bottom terminating at -the flange 72. A nipple 73 likewise has a flange 74 and the two llanges are held on the cover plate 76 of the frame 7S which has an inner ring 79 supported `by posts Sil. Between the cover plate 76 and the inner ring 79 there is supported a gear generally designated S2 which rotates on :the ring 79, andis held in place by `the l-ower surface 76A of the cover plate. The lower frame, including the post 80, also has a gear housingj84 in which are journals SS-SS supporting the driveshaft 86 on which ya mitre gear 87 is pinned, so as to rotate with the shaft. At the outer end of the shaft 86 there is provided a chain sprocket 89 over which a drive chain 90 extending upwardly from `the transmission housing, is adapted to be driven. yit will lbe noted that the drive sprocket 89 is also provided with drive pins 92 which mate with a ycoupling 93 on the corresponding drive Vshaft 94 of ythe opposite unit. Anommon drive is thus provided for the two shafts and everything driven from them. The purpose of the gear S2 is to provide a rotary motion within ythe sealed filling hopper for gently agitating the column of powdery material and .thereby vassisting in its downward ilow. To this end the gear `82 is rotated but it is sealed -to its upper and lower surfaces from the column of material how as follows:

On the inner surface 95 there is mounted a tubular member 96 which is suspended lby the flange 97 and held in place by Vthe screw 98. The -screw 98 also fastens in place a block 99. From the block 99 there is a downwardly extending rod lili? which is shaped so that it is closely adjacent the downward and outwardlyconverging spout 1131. The rod is bent at 102 and terminates in the agitator blading 103. Accordingly, as the gear 82 rotates the rod 160 revolves rather slowly within Vthe column of powdered material liowing downwardly from nipple 73 through the tubular member 96 and thence through the spout 101.

In order to prevent the powdered material, which in many instances is light and fluffy, from coming out against the gear S2, there are provided upper and lower seal rings. Thus, an upper seal ring is provided at 164 that is machined to fit with an up and down sliding fit on the surface 105 of the gear. The seal ring is pushed up by the springs 106. At one or more places around the gear there are provided pins 108 which serve to transmit the rotary motion of the gear to the seal ring. Similarly, a lower seal ring is provided at 109, this ring being machined to fit the outer surface 116 of the tubular member 96 and also to fit the surface 111 of the upper flange 112 on the spout 181. Springs are provided at 113 which force the seal ring down and the seal ring is compelled to rotate by one or more screws 114 which extend through the web of the gear 82 4and into the seal ring. The screws 11'4 and the pins 168 which drive the lower seal ring 109 and the upper seal ring 104, respectively, are not made integral but are spaced apart from each other around the circumference of the gear 82, 'although this might seem so from the drawings. One form which this offset spaced apart relationship may assume is shown in Figure 7A. The entire framing 80-84 and the spout 101 are carried upon the plate 116 that is in turn mounted by means of the cap screws 117 on the top of the frame and transmission housing 31. Below the plate 116 there is mounted the filling horn casting generally designated 120. This filling horn has a downwardly converging inner surface 121 onto which a solid column of .the powder being packaged is delivered from the outwardly `converging spout 151. The casting has integral cast-in heating elements 122 by means of which the entire filling horn may 'be heated as desired for the handling of particular materials. In order to prevent the heat from the casting from flowing into adjacent portions of the apparatus, there is provided an insulating ring at 124. The downwardly converging partial lcylindrical bottom surface 121 is gradually blended into the rectangular opening lat 125 having an entering wall 126 and a trailing wall 128. This nomenclature is with reference to the direction of rotation shown by the arrow 129 of the filling drum or material receiver generally designated 130. The aggregate of the inner surfaces of the hopper 71, nipple 73, tubular member 96, spout 191 and filling horn 120 comprises the outer surface of a material holder. This material holder defines the outer wall for a column of solid material flowing downwardly therethrough. The filling drum or material receiver has a smooth outer peripheral surface at 131 which runs with close fitting seal against the corresponding partial cylindrical surface 132 forming the under periphery of the filling horn. The drum 13() is mounted upon the shaft 47 driven as previously described from the transmission 31, see Figure 16. The shaft 47 has a drive flange 134 thereon which is keyed to the shaft at 135. On the drive flange there is a replaceable drive ring 136 held in place by the cap screws 138. The filling drum or material receiver 130 is held in place on shaft 47 by means of the end cap 139 that is attached by the screw 146, but otherwise the filling drum 130 is free to rotate on the shaft 47. A drive from the drive flange 134-136 to the filling drum 130 is accomplished by means of the drive pin 141 which has a nger hold 141A that is screwed tightly in place on the pin. The pin extends through a transverse aperture in the filling drum or material receiver and has a tightly pressed-on collar at 142 that works in a suitable enlargement of the aperture. Behind the col-lar is the spring 144. The protruding end 145 of the pin 141 is aligned -to slip into a hole 146 in the replaceable ring 136 on the drive flange 134. When the pin is in the position shown in Figure 7, .the drive flange 134 and ring 136 are coupled to the lling drum 13@ and serve to rotate it. However, if one or the other of the left or right sides of the machine are desired not to be operated, it is only necessary to pull out the pin 141 slightly by means of the finger hole 141A. This causes the detent pin 148 to slide out of the slot 149 in the material receiver and when outside the receiver a slight turn on the pin 141 causes .the detent 148 to rest on the outer surface of the receiver 130, thereby holding the entire pin 141 in a position such that the end 145 is entirely retracted out of .the hole 146. fIn this Way one of the machines can fbe made entirely idle and no filling will be accomplished. At the same time the drive of the web on that side of the machine is released as hereinafter described and accordingly no filling on that side of .the machine is accomplished.

Referring to Figure 4, the lower web LW and -the upper web UW from the rolls 69 and 70, respectively, may be of diverse materials and are either inherently heat sealing or are coated with a suitable heat sealing adhesive placed on the upper surface of the web LW and the lower surface of the web UW, in such a way .that when the two webs are brought together and firmly pressed while subjected to some increase in temperature, they will fbe heat bonded together in moisture tight relationship. The problem of the present invention was to put little piles of the powder to be packaged neatly on the lower web prior to the superposition of the upper web on it and then to heat seal the margins of the two webs around the piles.

To accomplish this the lower web LW from the roll 69 is first passed over guide roll 150 and then over a stationary guide 151 having a smoothly rounded narrow radius nose 152 that is positioned parallel to and closely adjacent the lower termination 153 on the trailing side of the filling horn 120, and also closely adjacent the periphery 131. The lower web LW runs up over the roll and then along the upper surface of the block 151 in the right direction as shown in Figure 4, and thence around the sharp nose 152 of the block 151 and thence into contact with the peripheral surface 131 of the filling drum 130.

Referring to Figures 4 and 7, as well as Figures 9 and l0, it will be observed that the filling drum has an annular recess 154 and a plurality (here the number is eight) radially drilled bores 155. These bores have a minimum radius adjacent the recess 154 and then have a larger radius at 156. At their outer termination, and adjacent the surface 131 of the drum the bore 156 ares out into an almost rectangular opening, with rounded corners, along the surface 158. In the described recess there are positioned plungers generally designated having a shaped outer surface, here illustrated as the dome or convex curve 161. Each of the plungers 160 has a stem 162 which extends into the annular recess 154 and each of the plungers terminates at a conical tip 164. Around the portion of the plunger stem 162 that is within the recess 154 there is a retracting spring 165 that is held in place by the retainer 166. Accordingly, the normal position of each of the plungers 160 in the filling drum 130 is as far in as the head of the plunger will go into the recess 156. The inward travel is, however, controlled by a cam generally designated 168. The cam 168, is illustrated in Figures 4, 7 and to some extent in Figure 17. It has an inner surface 169 that slides in and out upon the surface 170 of the 7 recess 154'in the iilling drum 130. The cam 168 is adjustable for in and out sliding movement and, to a slight extent, in a rotary direction. The cam'168 has an outer terminal flange at 171 and it is attached by means of the hold screws 172-172 to a mounting plate generally designated 174, the plate in turn having a boss 175 that is mounted on the post 176 by means of the Ynuts 178. The entire post 176 is threaded into a suitable boss on the exterior of the frame and gear housing 31 and is therefore a steady support for the plate 174 and hence for the cam 168. As shown in Figure 17 the plate 174 has arcuate slots 179-179 through which the screws 172 pass. The slots are'of sufficient length so as to permit an arcuate adjustment for cam 168 of about 20-30 degrees.

From Figures 4 and V17 it will be observed that the cam has a tapered or conical exterior surface 180, except at the cam lobe 181. The cam lobe 181 is relatively short and occupies approximately -25 degreesk of the 360 degrees of motion around the cam and furthermore the lift of the cam lobe 181 is uniform from the outer end of the conical surface 180 or at its maximum diameter end. Accordingly, the outward push or lift occasioned by the tip 164 of the plunger stem riding up upon the cam lobe 181 is the same, regardless of whether the cam 168 is in an outer position, such as is shown in Figure 7, or whether it is pushed inwardly.

The inner and outer adjustment of the cam 168 is used to regulate the amount of powder that is taken into the pocket above the plunger 160 and within the surface 158. When the cam 168Yis moved outwardly (and this is accomplished by moving the entire mounting plate 174 outwardly on the stud 176) the plungers 160 will all be retracted to their innermost position which `they occuy except when pushed downwardly at the cam lobe 181 and hence a maximum amount of powder or solid granular material can be taken into the space above the plunger. Where a lesser amount of material is desired, it is only necessary to adjust the plate .174 and the Y cam 168 inwardly .and the lower tips 164 of all the plungers 160 will then ride a little farther up on the conical surface 180, each being pushed downwardly by the cam lobe 181 as they reach the lower position 160A, Figure 4.

The cam 168 is mounted so that the cam lobe 181 will produce a downwardpush of the plungers 160 as each reaches the lowermost position 160A of Figure 4. It is at this position that the powder or other granular material on top of the plunger is pushed rmly down on the lower web LW'. This sharp downward push of the f plunger 160 at position 160A occurs due to the quick lift of the cam lobe 181 and the rotation of the cam 168 afforded by the slots 179 in the mounting plate 174 is such as to permit the downward push to occur atany position from about l0 degrees ahead to about 10 degrees behind the vertical position 160A.

The web LW`as it rides over the nose 152 of the guide block 151 and onto the surface 131 of the filling drum covers the drum from substantially edge to edge and covers each of the pockets 158, above the plungers 160, which are by that time entirely filled with the powdered material being packaged. Accordingly, as the plunger reaches the position 160K, Figure 4, it has already been lled with powder, as will subsequently be described, and as the drum rotates, out from under the trailing tip 153 of the'lling horn, the lower web LW is immediately run onto the surface of the drum, thereby holding the powder in place. The powder is Vmaintained in place through the positions 160L and V160lvl by theweb LW which remains in place on the periphery 131 of the drum y and then as the drum reaches the position 160A, the downward push of each of the plungers 160 occurs as described and as shown in Figure 6, thereby causing the powdered'material to be deposited in neat piles.

1 The complete sequence Vof positions is numbered vfrom the discharge position A and thence in a counterclockwise direction, counting through the showings as in Figure 4 and Figures 18 through 23, which latter especially show the sequence of operations preparatory to and during filling of the powder into the pockets above the plungers. Through the positions 160B and 160C, Figure 4, the pockets run idle and are uncovered, but as they run under the entering edge 133 of the lling horn, preparation for tilling occurs, the apparatus therefore being as follows:

The entering nose of the lling horn 133 is provided with a bore hole at 182, Figures 9 and l0, terminating at the reduced diameter portion 184. The bore hole 182 is provided with threads 185 at its upper end which `receive the head 186 of a screen block generally designated 188. The screen block 188 is drilled out at 189 and has a threaded lower end 190 upon which the cap 191 is threaded. The cap 191 serves to hold in place a small disk 192 of screening material, which is preferably of nylon material. Therscreen block 188 is cross bored at 194 and communicates with the air channel 195, the air channel 195 itself terminating at the machined surface 196. Upon the surface 196 there is attached an air control valve assembly generally designated 198, the same being held onto the surface 196 by suitable cap screws 199. The air control valve assembly is best shown in Figures 8, 9 and lO and has upwardly extending frame members 200 which serve to support the journals in which the shaft 201 rotates. The shaft 201 has a spur gear 202 that is driven by another spur gear 204 mounted on shaft 55 previously referred to (see Figures 4 and 16). The shaft 201 carries two cams 205 and 206 that are held in place by set screws. The cam 205 is all of maximum diameter except for one flat as at 205A, see Figure 9, whereas the cam 206 is all low except for one abruptly rising cam lobe 206A in Figure 10. See also Figure 9. The frame members 200 have side arms 200A serving to support the stub shafts 208 and 209 that are held in place by set screws. Upon the stub shaft 209 there is mounted a rocker arm 210 that is held in place on the stub shaft by a ring key 211. The rocker arm 210 carries at its lower end an atmospheric valve release 212 which is positioned so as to cover the port 214 leading from the antrum 215 in the air control valve assembly 198. A spring 216 supported at its lower end on the head of screw 218 presses upwardly upon the pad 219 on the rocker arm, therefore normally urging it in the direction of arrow 220, thus causing the Valve 212 to be held tightly against the port 214, thus preventing the admission of atmospheric air into the antrum 215. Atmospheric air is admitted only when the cam lobe 206A on the cam 206 pushes against the roller 221 pivoted on shaft 222 on the upper end of the rocker arm 210. Y

Referring to Figure 9, the antrum 215, in the air control valve assembly is provided with another port 224 which communicates through a side passage 225 to the vacuum connection 226, Figure 8. A vacuum valve stem 228 having the Valve 229v at its lower end,lcontrols the opening or closure of the port 224, the stem being normally pulled outwardly by the action of spring 230 which seats against the spring retainer 231. The valve stem 228 is pushed inwardly by a rocker arm 232 pivoted on the stub shaft 208, the rocker being held in place by the ring key 234. At the upper end of the rocker arm 232 there is a roller 235 which rides on the cam 205, the cam 205 being so shaped as to apply vacuumrover a time period appropriate for the filling operation, as will be now described.

Referring to Figures 18 through 23, in these figures there is shown only a fragmentary part of the filling horn 120 and the atmospheric valve 212 and the vacuum valve 229 are shown schematically. It will be understood that these valves are operated by the mechanisms shown especially in Figures 8, 9 and l0 in timed sequence so as to produce the pressure conditions within the antrum 215 and hence above the plungers 160 to be described. In Figure 4 the plunger has reached a position 160C and just begins to run under the entering nose 133 of the filling horn 120. As the plunger reaches the position 168D shown in Figure 18, the leading edge of the wall 158 of the cavity just uncovers the bore opening 184 below the screen block 188. At this time the atmospheric valve 212 is closed and the vacuum valve 229 is open and accordingly air is drawn out of the pocket above the plunger 160 through the aperture 184 and thence through the nylon screen 192, as indicated by the arrow 237. The ilow of air being evacuated continues out through the port 195, antrum 215 and through the vacuum valve 229 to the vacuum line 226. The vacuum continues to be drawn until the chamber above the plunger has the air pressure therein substantially reduced, whereupon as the plunger reaches the position in Figure 19, viz. position 160B, the vacuum valve 229 is closed and the atmospheric valve 212 is abruptly opened by the sharply rising cam surface 206A on the cam 206, see Figure 9. Atmospheric air accordingly rushes in via arrows 236-236 and impinges against the nylon screen 192, thus blasting out through the surface openings in the screen, as indicated by the plurality of arrows 238, thus causing any powder which may have adhered to the screen to be dusted oit. The in-rush of air, however, is limited since the size of the cavity above the plunger 169 is small and once the pressure conditions are rre-established, the atmospheric valve 212 is closed and vacuum valve 229 is also closed. This condition is shown in Figure 20, viz. position 160F. Then as the leading edge 158A of the cavity above the plunger 16(3(3, Figure 2l, proceeds due to the rotation of the illing drum in the direction of the arrow shown, and before that edge 158A reaches the entering wall 126 of the rectangular lling opening 125, the vacuum valve 229 is again opened, the atmospheric valve 212 meanwhile remaining closed. Accordingly, air is exhausted from the space above the plungers 160G, Figure 2l, via arrows 239-239. As rotation proceeds to position 16GH, shown in Figure 22, the leading edge 158A has proceeded beyond the entering wall 126 of the rectangular opening 125 in the filling horn 120. In operation the hopper 71 and the column composed of nipple 73, tubular member 96 and spout 161, leading down to the downwardly converging surface 121 of the filling horn, are all filled with the powdered material which is to be packaged and accordingly a solid column of powdered material stands above each pocket 158, Figure 7, as they are exposed to rectangular opening 125, Figure 22. In addition, the gentle rotation of the agitator 103 prevents any bridging and the column of material moves downwardly in a slow direction. Referring to Figures 2l and 22, the pocket above each of the plungers 160 as at position 160G, is evacuated and as the wall 158A moves to the position shown in Figure 22, the ilow of solid material downwardly in the direction of arrow 240 is accomplished. A little air may enter with the material, but this is only the amount that adheres to the material particles, and there may actually be a little pocket formed in the downwardly flowing column of powder as at 241, Figure 22. The tendency of the powder to move beyond the pockets above the plungers 160 is prevented in part by two factors: First, the amount of air capable of bearing the material is iimited, due to the fact that the entire mechanism is sealed due to the downwardly owing column of powder. Any slight air that is carried into the pocket with the material as it falls is exhausted through the vacuum valve but the powdered material is prevented from moving through into the vacuum system by the nylon screen 192.

The filling operation continues through the position shown at 1601 and the vacuum valve closes, thereupon moving from the position 1601 to the position 160] the pocket is entirely full and the amount of material residing in the pocket above the plunger is determined by the position of the plunger, which is in turn determined by the inward and outward adjustment of the cam 168, Figure 7. This measured quantity of material is scraped off with the pocket full, as the pocket passes under the wall 128 of the filling horn 120, Figure 4, and is carried through the position 160K, Figure 4, and is then held in the positions 160L and 169M due to the lower web LW as previously described. Beneath the filling drum 130, and extending from it to the right, as shown in Figure 4, there is a table 242 which is vertically adjustable by means of the brackets 244-244 held in place by cap screws 24S-245, attached to the transmission housing 31, see Figures 4 and 7. The table is adjusted so that as the plungers in position 160A force the powdered material downwardly, they also force the lower web LW into contact with the table 242, as shown in Figure 6, and then as the web LW moves to the right, Figures 4, 5 and 6, the piles of powdered material are carried therealong. As they move along the upper web UW which is fed from the roll 7i) carried by the bracket 246, Figure 4, travels over the guide rollers 248, 249 and 250. The guide roller 250 is carried upon the adjustable bracket 251 held by the screw 252 so that the position of the roller 250 can be varied up and down and backward and forward, thereby allowing the slant of the downward travel of the upper web in portion 254 to be made abrupt or gradual as desired. The upper web UW is thus brought down upon the piles P1, P2 and P3 of powdered material already deposited at spaced intervals on the lower web and the composite then travels to the sealing rollers shown generally between the lines 64 and 65, Figure 4.

The sealing rollers are best shown in Figures 4 and ll. In Figure 4 it will be noted that the upper sealing roller generally designated 258 and the lower sealing roller generally designated 259 have at either edge thereof a continuous periphery as at 258A and 258B, Figure l1, for the upper sealing roller and 259A and 259B at either edge of the lower sealing roller. These edges are actually separable side plates and between them there is clamped a central portion 258C for the upper roller and 259C for the lower roller, these portions having webs 258D and 259D for the upper and lower rollers, respectively, of the same radial dimension and curvature as the outer portions 258A, 258B and 259A and 259B, respectively. Between the webs, however, there are pockets as pockets 258B for the upper roller and pockets 259B for the lower roller, these pockets being of any arcuate length desired, depending upon the size of the package that is being made. Accordingly, it will be understood that the central part 258C of the upper roller and 259C of the lower roller may be divided into any desired number Cf pockets with webs in between. Six such pockets are shown for each of the rollers in Figures 4 and ll, but this is merely exemplary. The upper roller assembly 258 is carried on the shaft 50 driven as previously described. The outer protruding end of the shaft being provided with a keyed on gear 269. The gear 260 meshes and drives a mating gear 261 as will be described, so that the two gears and the rollers that they carry revolve in unison., so as to bring the webs 258D and 259D into contact with each other as the sealing rollers 258 and 259, respectively, revolve. It may be stated that each of the rollers 258 and 259 are arranged to be heated internally so as to provide for the sealing of the upper web and lower web by heat sealing methods. The heating of the rollers is accomplished as follows:

The inner edge plate 258A of the upper roller is machined at 262 to fit a corresponding recess 264, thereby holding the peripheral track 258A of the upper roller concentric with the axis of shaft 50. However, a space is provided at 265 which is filled with insulation which to some extent prevents the passage of heat from the heated roller 258 to the gear 260 and hence to the transmission 1 1 3l. A heat insulation bushing 266 is also provided and a .heat insulating plate 267 is provided, these being held in place by a metal plate 268 that is 'in turn held in place by the screws 269 to the gear 260. The member 258C of the heated roller is recessed at 270 to receive a heating element 271 and it is held together by a plurality of screws 272 which pass through the gear 260 and through the edge of plate 258A and unto the member 258C. The member 258C thus holds the heater clement 271 firmly clamped in place against the inside Vsurface of plate 255A. The edge of the heating element is meanwhile firmly clamped in the recess 270 in theV central portion 255C Vof the roller and heats 258C. The central portion 253C is provided with a second recess 275 in which an outer heating element 276 is positioned, the

Vlatter being held in place by the outer track plate 258B that is in turn clamped to the central portion 253C of the roller by means of a plurality of screws 273. Cenj trally in the plate 276 there is provided a nipple 279 that is held in place by the screws 28h. The nipple 279 serves as a mounting for an electrical insulator 281 upon which the slip rings 282 and 284 are mounted. The insulating member 231 is held in place and from rotating on the nipple 279 by means of the keying screw 283.

Upon the crankcase 31 there is a bracket 285 which extends out and serves as a mounting for a brush holder 286 which carries two brushes 238 and 289 contacting the slip rings 282 and 284, respectively. A covering bell 299 serves to protect the brush holders.

Upon the central portion 258C of the upper roller assembly there is a thermostat mounting pad 291 held in place by a screw 292. This pad serves as a base upon which a thermostat generally designated 294 is attached by suitable screws. The thermostat, which may be of any suitable type, is preferably provided with Van adjusting screw 295 and in one of the pocketsZSSE aligned with this adjusting screw, there is a hole 296, see Figure 4, through which a slender screw driver may be inserted for turning the adjusting Screw 295, thereby allowing regulation of the temperature of the roller S. The wires from the slip rings 282 and 284 are carried Yout through the hole and nipple 279 and the two heating elements 271 and 276 are wired in series with each other and with the thermostat 294, as shown by the wiring diagram in Figure 24. They may be wired in parallel,

if desired, but in order to reduce the load carried by thel thermostat contacts, series wiring is preferred.

The entire lower roller assembly 259 is carried upon a shaft generally designated 298 which has stub outer ends journalled in the mouthing arm generally designated 299. The arm 299 is pivoted on the pin 3413 attached-to an ear 351 in the crankcase and frame housing 31. The arm 299 is divided at 383, the right end, as shown in Figure 4, being held to the knuckle 392 by the bolt 304. By inserting shims at the break 303, and then pulling up the through bolt 304, the position of the center of shaft 298 can be moved from the left to the right or vice versa as shown in Figure 4, thus allowing precise alignment of the web 259D with the webs 258D of the upper roller.

The arm 299 extends to the right as shown in Figure 4 and has a recess at 395 which receives the upper end of the spring 326, the lower end of which is mounted iny supports 308. By loosening lock nut 367i) and then moving the screws 3G7a up 0r down the bottom position of the spring 306 can be adjusted and the force on arm 299 can thereby be varied, in that way allowing adjustment of the pressure of the roll 259 against the roll 258.

Referring to Figure ll, the construction of the roll 259 while generally the same as 258 is somewhat simplified in that the transmission of heat to the gear housing was not a problem. Thus, the gear 261 is attached by the screws 3tl9 directly to a flange 319 machined on the shaft 293. The ange 310 thins out and forms a tracking' edge 259A of the lower roller. The central member 259C of the lower roller is likewise recessed to receive the heating elements 311 and 312. The central element 259C'is attached to the portion 259A by the screws 314 and the outer plate 259B is in turn attached to the central portion 259C by the screws 315. The outer tracking plate 259A has a central stub shaft portion 316, upon which there is concentrically mounted nipple 31S which is held in place by suitable screws. The nipple serves as a mountingfor the electrical insulation 319 upon which the slip rings 320 and 321 are carried. The insulation 349 is likewise held in place and prevented from turning by the keying screw 323. A brush holder 322 is mounted by the screw 326 against the bracket 328 which is in turn held on the arm 229 and two brushes are mounted in the brush holders, one of which is shown 324. A covering bell 325 serves to protect these portions of the mechanism. Suitable lubrication ttings are provided for each of the ends of the shaft 298 and 316. The two heating elements 311 and 312 are served by lead wires from the slip rings'32il and 321 which enter through the central bore and the nipple 31S. The two heating elements beingrconnected in series and in series with the thermostat 32 which is mounted in the same manner as described with reference to roller 253. The thermostat is also made adjustable by locating an aperture so that the thermostat adjusting screw 339 can be reached with a long thin screw driver. j

The rollers are accordingly electrically heated to a desired temperature, and as they rotate the track 259A runs in a position to exert pressure against the track 258A and the track 259B runs in a position to exert pressure against the track 258B. At the same time the webs 259D likewise exert pressure against the webs 253D. Since the apparatus is gear driven from the same transmission as operates the feeding mechanism, the piles of powdered material laid down upon the lower web LW and already covered by the upper web UW arrive at the sealing rollers in such position that the intermediate webs 259D and 253D come in the space between the piles P1, i2 and P3 and one pile is sealed off from the other transversely across the web, and both edges of the composite web are also sealed, all in one operation. The heat and the pressure may be adiusted as described.

The pull of the continuous composite produced at the sealing rolls, is provided by the pull drive between the lines 65 and 66 of Figure 4. The pull drive is best illustrated in Figures 4, l2 and 13. The drive is provided by a metal upper roller generally designated 332 and a vcooperating rubber tired lower roller generally designated 333, the lower roller being so mounted as to be urged upwardly into resilient contact with the upper roller. 'The upper roller 332 has two edges 332A and 332B and the whole roller is keyed on the extending end of shaft 54 extending out of the transmission housing 31 and driven as previously described. A key at 334 allows positive drive, the key being held in place by the set screw 335. Roller 332 accordingly presents two spaced tracks 332A and 332B which are positioned just far enough Yapart so as to track upon the portion of the composite package that is sealed by the sealing tracks 253A and 258B and the corresponding sealing tracks 259A and 259B of the upper and lower sealing rollers, respectively, previously described. Upon the upper pull roller 332 there is mounted a drive gear 336 held in place by screws 338, this gear meshing with corresponding gear 339 of the lower roller assembly 333. The gear 339 is held `onto a central hub 340 by means of the screws 341-341 and therhub 3.40 is provided with bushings at 342-342 so that it may turn freely upon the stationary shaft 344 that is held in the bifurcated Vends 345 of the mounting arm 346, this arm being pivoted upon the pin 348 that is in turn carried by the ears 349 extending downwardly from the frame and transmission housing 31. The arm 346 is provided with a recess 350 which receives the upper end of the spring 351, the lower end of which is carried by a bracket 352 upon which the 13 spring 351 is adjustably mounted in the manner described for spring 396 of arm 305. By adjusting the spring 351 up and down the force of the roller 333 against the roller 332 may be varied.

Upon the exterior surface of the hub 340 there is vulcanized a rubber spool generally designated 354 having the tracking surfaces 354A and 354B spaced apart so as to be aligned for rolling Contact with the edges 332A and 332B of the upper roller 332. A strong rolling resilient contact is therefore provided by the roller 332. against only the tracking surfaces 332A and 332B. Both the rubber spool 354 and the roller 332 are carved out as at 332C and 354C so as to allow ample space for the packet of powdered material to be passed through the pulling rollers without any engagement of the rollers on the packet bulges.

The same bracket 352 which carries the springs 351 has an upwardly extending perch 356, Figures l2 and 13, upon which the trunnion pin 357 is rotatably mounted. The trunnion is held from shifting endwise by a ring key 358 and by the turning handle 359. Upon the trunnion shaft 257 there is pinned a cam lobe 360, and by rotating the shaft, by means of handle 359, the cam lobe can be brought into contact with the upper surface 361 of the arm 346 so as to force it downwardly and thus move the lower roller 333 away from the upper roller 332, for threading, disengaging jams, etc. A similar rotatable cam lobe 331 is provided for the mounting arm 229. By rotating the cam lobe 331 until it is brought into contact with the upper surface of the mounting arm 299, the mounting arm may be pivoted in a clockwise direction about the pin 300, thus moving the lower roller 259 away from the upper roller 258 for facilitating threading, breaking jams, etc.

On the inner surface of the gear 336 of roller 332, Figure l2, there is a pin 363 which is positioned so as to engage a lever 362 of the counter mechanism 364, the lever being normally biased in the direction of arrow 365 by the spring 366. Between the sealing rollers 258-259 and the drive rollers 332*333, there is provided a continuation of the table 242 as at 36S, this likewise being mounted so as to be vertically adjustable, and between the drive rollers 332-333 and the cut-olf mechanisrn between the lines 66 and 67 a further continuation of such table is provided at 369, this likewise being made so as to be vertically adjustable. The package composite in the continuous strip is accordingly supported throughout its entire travel from left to right as shown in Figure 4.

Between the positions 66 and 67 there is provided a cut-ofi comprising a stationary cut-olf knife assembly generally designated 370 and a rotary cut-olf knife generally designated 371. These are best shown in Figures 4, 14 and 15. The stationary knife assembly 370 includes a bracket portion 372 that is attached to the crankcase and frame member 31 by screws 374. This bracket has a slanting upper surface 375 upon which the stationary knife 376 is mounted. The knife 376 is held in place by screws 37S passing through slots 379 in the knife. The knife is adjustable back and forth in the direction of arrow 380 by means of the adjusting screw 381 and it may thus be brought closer or may be moved farther away from the rotary cutting knife generally designated 371. The knife 376 is made double edged and can be re-used merely by reversing it. Of course, it can frequently be sharpened as it gets dull.

The rotary knife includes a hub 392 which carries two rotary knife blades. The manner in which they are carried is illustrated in Figures 14 and l5. Thus, upon the extending end of shaft 60, Figure 16, there is a reduced portion 60A which presents a shoulder at 60B. A sleeve 385 is mounted upon the reduced end 6i), the sleeve being held on by an end plate 386 held in place by the screw 388. The sleeve is made to take a key 389 so that it rotates iirmly with the shaft 6G. At the outer end of the sleeve there is provided a ange 390 having arcuate slots 39ll-391. Behind the frange there is mounted the knife holder 392 which has two flats 394--394, upon which the knife blades 39:-395 are mounted and held in place by the screws 396. The knife holder also has the webs 39S through which pass the adjusting screws 399 by means of which the pitch diameter of the knife blades 395 may be uniformly and accurately adjusted. The blades 395 are adjusted so that they cooperate with the stationary blades 376 to produce a shearing action and as observed in Figure 4, the position of the blades is such that they are aligned with the path of travel of the web of already sealed packets of powder. Thus, as shown in Figure 6, the web with the powder between the upper foil UW and the lower foil LW as at positions P4, P5 and P6, approaches and is pulled along by the pull rolls 332 and 333. The strip then travels along at P7 and P8 and P9 until they come into the position of the cooperating knives at 370 and 371. The rotation of the knife 371 being driven from the transmission housing is adjusted so that the cuts occur between the successive packets and thus when the packets are severed as at P16 the powder is contained within the severed portions of the lower web LW and the upper web UW, the two webs being completely sealed entirely around the packet portion. The severed packets slide down the chute 68.

Referring to Figure 24 power is supplied usually over 220-volt lines L1 and L2. A switch 461 is provided from lines Li and L2 to the motor 4i) over suitable circuits for controlling the operation of the motor. Power is preferably brought into a junction box 402, Figure l, upon which the switches for the various auxiliaries are mounted. From the junction box 492 a circuit extends from line'LZ through the line 404 to the brush 288 and thence through slip ring 282 and line 405 through heater unit 276, line 406, heater unit 271, line 408, thermostat 294, line 499 and thence to slip ring 284, through brush 239 and line 41@ through switch 411 to line L1,

Similarily, a circuit extends from line L2 through line 412 to brush 324, slip ring 320, line 414, through heater element 311, line 415, heater element 312 and line 416, through thermostat 329 and line 417 to slip ring 321 and thence through a brush and line 418, through junction 24 and switch 411 to line L1, A circuit also eX- tends from junction 24, through pilot light 425 to circuit L2. Accordingly, when the switch 411 is closed, parallel circuits are established through the pilot light 425 and through the circuits of heater elements 311 and 3i2.

A circuit also extends from line 42?, through the heater elements 122 in the filling horn and then through a thermostat 421, which is thermally connected to the filling horn, and thence through line 422, junction 42S and switch 423 to line L1. A circuit also extends from the junction 4223 and pilot light 429 to line L2 and accordingly when switch 423 is closed the pilot light 429 will be illumiuated, thus indicating that the operation of the heaters 122 in the filling horn 129.

Referring to Figure l, if the place in which the apparatus is used does not afford a separate vacuum supply, 'this may easily be provided by means of a vacuum pump generally designated 439 which is operated by a self-conained motor, or separate motor, which will then be served by a suitable power line not illustrated from the switch box 4il2. Where such a self-contained vacuum pump is used, a pipe connection is made at 431 to the collector 432 which is interposed between the vacuum line 434 and 4.3i so as to remove any trace of powder which might be drawn through the vacuum line toward the pump 430. The amount of such powder which might be drawn over is too small to be economically important, but it might interefere with the operation of the pump if it got into it. Therefore, an eiiicient collector is used at this stage of the apparatus. The vacuum line 434 extends to the vacuum connection 226, see Figure 8.

It will be observed that in Figure 8 gear 204 mounted upon the shaft S of the transmission 31 not only drives the gear 202 for operating the cams 205 and 206 of the atmospheric and vacuum valving arrangement, but the shaft 201 is coupled by means of the coupling 435 to the central shaft 436 having a sprocket 438 thereon. This sprocket serves to drive the chain 9i) by means of which the agitator mechanism in the illing spout is slowly rotated.

lt will be understood from the foregoing that either the right or left Packager may be operated singly or both may be operated at the same time. While'a double packaging unit with right and left packagers has been herein illustrated, it will be understood that it is within the purview of the invention to have only a single packager.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that l do not limit myself to the speciiic embodiments herein.

What i claim is:

l. In an apparatus for the production of sealed packages of accurately measured small quantities of finely divided solid materials comprising a table supported in a substantially horizontal position, a plurality `of stations along said table including a iilling station, a sealing station, a pulling station, and a severing and discharge station, said receiving station including a material holder for said iinely divided solid material, said material holder including a columnar space therethrough for holding said material as a solid column therein and a bottom having a partial cylindrical under surface, said surface having an opening therein aligned with said columnar space for the discharge of the solid material therethrough, a wheel having a cylindrical rim surface of a diameter such that it has a sealed running iit against the partial cylindrical bottom surface of said material holder, means mounting the wheel for rotation of said rim in contact with said partial cylindrical surface, said partial cylindrical bottom surface having an entering edge where the rim of the wheel engages said surface as it rotates thereagainst and a trailing edge away from which the rim of the wheel rotates as it leaves said surface, a port in the surface of said entering edge having gaseous fluid control means connected thereto for controlling a gaseous uid to produce a condition of evacuation in said port as the pocket reaches said port and continues its motion towards said material discharge opening in said partial cylindrical bottom surface, a guide closely adjacent said trailing edge for guiding a continuous strip of package forming sealing material against the rim of said wheel for movement downwardly in contact with the rim of said wheel to a lowermost position closely adjacent said table, said strip being thereafter moved along said table past said sealing station through said pulling station at which a pair of rolls engage the edges of the strip for pulling it along said table, said wheel at the receiving station having a plurality of radial pockets in said rim, a plunger positioned in each of said pockets and means on said wheel'for normally retracting said plungers, cam means mounted in proximity with said wheel and having a cam lobe thereon positioned so as to contact said plungers and move them radially outwardly when each of the pockets and the plunger therein reaches a lowermost position directed downwardly toward said table, means between the receiving and sealing stations for feeding a superimposed continuous strip of package forming scalable material upon the first strip as it moves to said sealing station, said sealing station including cooperating pressure rollers engageable with the bottom and top of said composite y composed of the two strips, said rollers being formed so as to provide continuous pressure along the edges of said composite formed of two strips and for applying 16 pressure upon areas extending transversely across said strip at spaced intervals therealong, and means along said table at said severing station for severing the composite sealed strip after it has been pulled therealong, said severing means being timed for severing the strips only in said sealed transverse areas.

2. The apparatus of claim vl further characterized in that the uid pressure control means in the port in the surface of the entering edge of the partial cylindrical bottomsurface of the material holder is adapted for producing in said port a condition of evacuation as each pocket in the wheel reaches said port, then relieving said condition of evacuation therein and thereafter producing a condition of re-evacuation as the pocket leaves said port and reaches the material discharge opening of said material holder. Y

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that a fine screen is concentrically placed over said port closely adjacent the rim of said Wheel.

4. An apparatus for the production of sealed packages of accurately measured small quantities of iinely divided solid materials comprising a material holder for finely divided material having a substantially vertical space therein for holding said material for columnar ow downwardly therethrough, said material holder having a partial cylindrical bottom surface through which there is provided a port at the bottom of said material holding space, said partial cylindrical bottom surface having an entering edge and a trailing edge, a material receiving Wheel having a smooth rim of a diameter such that it revolves in contacting relation with said partial cylindrical bottom surface of the material holder, a plurality of evenly spaced cylindrical radial pockets in said wheel, each of said pockets forming a port in the rim of said Wheel, a plunger in each of said pockets having an integral stem, said wheel being recessed so as to expose said stern, means on each of said stems for retracting each plunger to a bottom position in each pocket, cam means contacting said stem for normally holding them at a given position in said pockets, said cam being provided with a cam lobe at one position for moving the `plungers radially outwardly from said cam lobe.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said cam is concentrically mounted for movement relative to said wheel and shaped conically so as to provide uniform movement of all plungers outwardly or inwardly as the cam is moved for varying the retracted position of all plungers in said pockets.

6. An apparatus for the production of sealed packages of accurately measured small quantities of finely divided solid materials comprising a material holder for holding said material as a solid vertical column, said holder having a bottom member including a partial cylindrical surface opening generally downwardly, a port in said surface at the bottom of said material holder for the delivery therefrom of said material, `said material holder including a cylindrical sleeve forming a part of the wall thereof, means for rotating said sleeve and an agitator extending from said sleeve into said material closely adjacent said port for agitating the material in said holder as it is delivered from said port.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further characterized in that said sleeve is sealed with reference to adjacent portions of the holder to preventl the excessive entrance of air into said holder.

S. An apparatus for the production of sealed packages of accurately measured small quantities of finely divided solid materials comprising a transmission caseV forming the frame of said apparatus, a drive shaft in said transmission case, a plurality of driven shafts extending through said case substantially horizontally and protruding at either side thereof, each of said driven shafts being geared to said transmission shaft for rotation at uniform speeds, a pair of means accordingto claim 13 mounted on opposite sides of said transmission case for feeding a 

